SHOT Show 2018: 6 of the Most Interesting New Rifles to Keep an Eye On

Innovation was on display at SHOT Show 2018 and the LEO and military world has some new rifles to be excited about this year.

By

Fred Mastison

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F4 Defense F4-XNew at this year’s SHOT Show from F4 Defense is its F4-X. This is an AR platform, small-frame rifle chambered in both .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor. F4 Defense has been working alongside Remington over the past year establishing a licensing agreement, utilizing the DPMS Gen II patents, and incorporating them into a high-quality precision rifle. At the same time, F4 has partnered with Proof Research in the manufacturing of carbon fiber barrels, specific to the new F4-X platform. Coming in at only 7.5 pounds, the F4-X is a light weight precision rifle capable of serving both the law enforcement and military world.

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FN 15 Tactical Carbine FDE P-LOKFN expands its FN 15 line with the FN 15 Tactical Carbine FDE P-LOK. This fighting rifle from FN has an enhanced MIL-SPEC lower receiver. A match-grade free floating, chrome-lined, cold hammer-forged barrel offers extreme durability and performance. Maintaining the distinguishing features of the FN 15 Tactical series are the 3-prong flash hider found on the FN SCAR rifles that reduces flash, mid-length gas system and H1 buffer to decrease recoil, a B5 grip, buttstock, and 12.5-inch P-LOK rail with M-LOK accessory mounting system.

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Savage Arms MSR-15 ValkyrieSavage Arms has enthusiastically jumped in to the all-new .224 Valkyrie cartridge pioneered by Federal Premium Ammunition. The platform Savage will run this new cartridge on is its MSR-15 Valkyrie. This well-built rifle gets the most from the cartridge’s unprecedented capabilities with an upgraded 18-inch barrel and a crisp two-stage trigger. The round delivers supersonic velocities at as far as 1,300 yards, extremely flat trajectories and match accuracy. It also produces only half the recoil of larger cartridges needed to achieve comparable trajectories. While not in the average inventory of the police and military world, the performance this gun provides has already started conversations.

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Seekins Precision NXP8Seekins Precision caught my eye with its new NXP8. The gun was originally designed at the specific request of a government end-user as a PDW. The gun is a small package weapon that offers a discreet and portable advantage to those seeking a concealable weapon with enhanced capabilities. It is precision CNC-machined from solid billet aluminum and exceeding the standard military specifications. The NXP8 comes standard with a match-grade 416-5R precision rifle barrel, chambered in .300 blackout with a 1:7 twist rate. Seekins’ rifle is equipped with the newly designed 7-inch NOXs M-LOK handguard, an adjustable pistol length gas system and ambidextrous controls for ease in operations. The NXP8 can be tuned to function in either suppressed or unsuppressed applications while offering exceptional accuracy.

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Heckler & Koch HK433Somehow the world wouldn’t seem right if I didn’t include something from Heckler & Koch. The HK433 is the company’s new rifle being submitted for the German military. It will replace the G36, which is being phased out by 2020. It is a modular and compact assault rifle chambered for 5.56x45mm, which combines the strengths and features of the G36 and the HK416 families of assault rifles. It is also capable of being chambered in other rounds such as .300 Blackout and 7.62 NATO. As with many of HK’s other guns, its modular design allows the HK433 to be configured for a variety if mission applications.

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Lithgow Arms F90One of the most iconic and sought after rifles has been the AUG. The challenge has been getting one. Enter the Lithgow Arms F90. This is Australia’s improved version of the AUG. It is in production in the USA right now under the name “Atrax.” A unique aspect of the Atrax is that it does not have a conventional rifle receiver. The large cast aluminum element of the AUG that served this function was entirely eliminated on the F90 series and replaced with an advanced high-strength polymer frame. The rifle is surprisingly well balanced and lightweight, coming in at only 7.14 pounds. Designed with law enforcement and military in mind, the F90 is full-auto capable. On the military side, the F90 packs a punch. It includes an integrated side loading 40mm grenade launcher that can be attached in just a few seconds by the soldier. A very unique and interesting gun.

SHOT Show is without question, the largest firearms trade show on Earth. From new rifles to new ammo, each year manufacturers travel from around the world to display their latest and greatest with hopes of securing orders and improving their bottom line.

With more than 2,000 vendors descending on Las Vegas, it can be difficult to swim through the sea of products, especially if you are looking for something specific. While many of the larger companies assemble house-sized displays, many gems can be found in the outer corners of the show as well.

New Rifles at SHOT 2018

One of my annual treks is to find some of the most interesting new rifles for the LEO and military world. These are guns that are tailored toward those who protect and serve on a daily basis. What I would consider “hard use” weapons built to withstand the upper extremes of use.

While there was no shortage of new blasters, a few stood out. Some in a good way and some in a, well, let’s just say “interesting” way. As a service to you, I walked the 13 acres of the show and present you some of the most interesting finds in this category.